Factors affecting visual outcome after surgery for bilateral congenital cataracts.

The medical records of 33 patients with dense bilateral congenital cataracts were analyzed for factors affecting visual outcome. The average postoperative follow-up was 6.3 years. Of the 23 patients tested with optotypes (verbal children), 14 had visual acuities of 20/80 or better. Eight patients had binocular vision. Preoperative nystagmus, age at surgery, microphthalmos, and postoperative strabismus were not prognostically significant in visual outcome. Postoperative nystagmus was common and was not indicative of a poor visual outcome. Ocular anomalies, systemic anomalies, and postoperative complications were associated with a lower percentage of good postoperative visual acuities.